Mini Cooper Countryman

Mini Cooper Countryman

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With practicality not found in other Mini products, the Countryman is basically a five-door version of the Clubman, with a longer wheelbase and more ground clearance. Power comes from a 121-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder, which mates to the front wheels via a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic. The S and John Cooper Works versions offer more power and all-wheel-drive options. The Countryman retains the Mini driving traits and quirkiness, despite its larger size. Official Photos and Info – 2015 Mini Countryman

2015 Mini Countryman

The big Mini now looks more like the little Mini.

In European cities, its sheer size can be intimidating, and even the company itself admits that the Countryman is “the big Mini.” But despite the snickering of purists, this car is a success in the market. Second only to the three-door Mini, the Countryman accounts for 30 percent of the brand's American sales. There are some 350,000 of them roaming the globe. And the success story is likely to continue with the modest face lift that the BMW-owned marque has served up for the New York auto show this week.

Just as before, there are three power levels, which are designated with the Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works monikers. At 208 horsepower, the John Cooper Works is the version that impresses most, coming standard with Mini’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive setup—driving the rear wheels is an option on the mid-level Cooper S. In welcome news for enthusiasts, a six-speed manual is standard on all models, and a six-speed automatic is available as an option.

There are precious few changes to the Countryman's easily recognizable exterior. The different power levels correspond with unique trim, and the Cooper and Cooper S models get modified grille inserts for 2015. Mini speaks of a "clear, purist expression," which are words that hardly seem to match the garish and convoluted lines that adorn this tall station wagon's front end.

The Countryman can now be specified with LED fog lights and LED daytime running lights, and it’s available with three new hues: Starlight Blue, Midnight Gray, and Jungle Green. A Piano Black exterior package is available, too, as are a few new wheel designs.

Beyond the modest changes to the exterior, Mini has upgraded the Countryman’s connectivity functions. Just as is the case with the big Mini’s little brother, the Countryman can be specified to allow access to a mind-boggling array of apps and services in varying degrees of asininity and distraction.

The 2015 Mini Countryman will be at dealerships later this year; we expect prices to remain close to the current model, which starts at $22,895. It’s also safe to assume that most or all of these upgrades will be added to the Mini Paceman in the near future.